Just weeks before the Republican primary in the race for New York's 21st congressional seat, American Crossroads, a political action committee co-founded by Karl Rove, released an attack ad against three-time candidate Matt Doheny.

State University of New York Plattsburgh political science professor Tom Konda is not surprised that a Washington super PAC is investing in the race.

“Bill Owens who had emerged as a pretty strong candidate decided to retire. This one is now an open seat and thus is really in play and in any given election there are rarely a dozen or so districts that one of the parties thinks it can pry away from another party,” said Konda.

Stefanik may have the support of Rove, it appears her opponent, Doheny, has the backing of another GOP political operative, Grover Norquist. In April 2014, Doheny signed Norquist's pledge not to raise taxes.

Stefanik has not signed the pledge which Doheny claims proves that he's the only truly conservative in the race.

However, Konda points out that not all Republicans support Norquist's agenda.

“Grover Norquist stands for this sort of absolutist, will not do anything, no compromise, and that's not really doing Republicans any favors now,” said Konda.

Konda views the attempt by American Crossroads to undermine Doheny's candidacy as Republican Party in-fighting -- more specifically efforts to re-brand the GOP and make conservative candidates more electable.

“They want somebody like Elise Stefanik, who comes across as a perfectly nice and articulate candidate,” said Konda.